2 Timothy 2:1
2:1 Thou {1} therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is
in Christ Jesus.
(1) The conclusion of the former exhortation which has also a
declaration added to it: how those who do not keep that
worthy thing that is committed to them, who keep it to
themselves, but rather those who do most freely communicate
it with others, to the end that many may be partakers of
it, without any man's loss or hindrance.
2 Timothy 2:2
2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among {a} many
witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall
be able to teach others also.
(a) When many were there, who can bear witness of these
things.
2 Timothy 2:3
2:3 {2} Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of
Jesus Christ.
(2) Another admonition: that the ministry of the word is a
spiritual warfare, which no man can so travail in that he
pleases his captain, unless he abstains from and parts with
all hindrances which might draw him away from it.
2 Timothy 2:4
2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of
{b} [this] life; that he may please him who hath chosen him
to be a soldier.
(b) With affairs of household, or other things that belong
to other ordinary businesses.
2 Timothy 2:5
2:5 {3} And if a man also strive for masteries, [yet] is he not
crowned, except he strive lawfully.
(3) The third admonition: the ministry is similar to a game in
which men strive for the victory, and no man is crowned,
unless he strive according to the laws which are
prescribed, be they ever so hard and painful.
2 Timothy 2:6
2:6 {4} The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of
the fruits.
(4) Another similarity with respect to the same matter: no man
may look for the harvest, unless he first take pains to
plow and sow his ground.
2 Timothy 2:7
2:7 {5} Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee
understanding in all things.
(5) All these things cannot be understood, and much less
practised, unless we ask of God and he gives us
understanding.
2 Timothy 2:8
2:8 {6} Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was
raised from the dead according to my gospel:
(6) He confirms plainly two principles of our faith, which are
alway assaulted by heretics, the one of which (that is,
that Christ is the true Messiah, made man of the seed of
David) is the ground of our salvation: and the other is the
highest part of it, that is, that he is risen again from
the dead.
2 Timothy 2:9
2:9 {7} Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, [even] unto
bonds; but the word of God is not bound.
(7) The taking away of an objection: it is true that he is kept
in prison as an evildoer, yet there is no reason why some
should therefore go about to take away credit from his
Gospel. And this is because God has blessed his ministry;
indeed, the example of this his captivity and patience, did
rather in different ways strengthen and encourage his
Church in the hope of a better life.
2 Timothy 2:11
2:11 {8} [It is] a faithful saying: For if we be {c} dead with
[him], we shall also live with [him]:
(8) The fourth admonition: we ought not to contend upon words
and questions, which are not only unprofitable, but also
for the most part hurtful: but rather upon this, how we may
compose ourselves to every manner of patience, and to die
also with Christ (that is to say, for Christ's name)
because that is the plain way to the most glorious life.
And contrary to this, the falling away of men can diminish
no part of the truth of God, even though by such means they
procure most certain destruction to themselves.
(c) If we are afflicted with Christ, and for Christ's sake.
2 Timothy 2:14
2:14 Of these things put [them] in remembrance, {d} charging
[them] before the Lord that they strive not about words to
no profit, [but] to the subverting of the hearers.
(d) Call God to witness, or as a Judge: as Moses, Joshua,
Samuel, and Paul himself did, in Acts 13.
2 Timothy 2:15
2:15 {9} Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that
needeth not to be ashamed, {e} rightly dividing the word of
truth.
(9) The fifth admonition: a minister must not be an idle
disputer, but a faithful steward in correctly dividing the
word of truth, in so much that he must stop the mouths of
other vain babblers.
(e) By adding nothing to it, neither deleting anything,
neither mangling it, nor rending it apart, nor
distorting it: but marking diligently what his hearers
are able to bear, and what is fit to edifying.
2 Timothy 2:16
2:16 {f} But shun profane [and] vain babblings: {10} for they
will increase unto more ungodliness.
(f) Mark and watch, and see that they do not creep on
further.
(10) He reveals the subtilty of Satan, who beginning with these
principles, draws us by little and little to ungodliness
through the means of that wicked and profane babbling,
which gradually increases. And this he proves by the
horrible example of those that taught that the
resurrection was already past.
2 Timothy 2:19
2:19 {11} Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure,
having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And,
Let every one that {g} nameth the name of Christ depart
from iniquity.
(11) A digression, in which he heals the offence that rose by
their falling away. Firstly, he shows that the elect are
out of all danger of any such falling away. Secondly,
that they are known to God, and not to us: and therefore
it is no marvel if we often mistake hypocrites for true
brethren. But we must take heed that we are not like
them, but rather that we are indeed such as we are said to
be.
(g) That serves and worships him, and as it were named of
him, a faithful man or Christian.
2 Timothy 2:20
2:20 {12} But in a great house there are not only vessels of
gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some
to honour, and some to dishonour.
(12) The taking away of an objection: it is not dishonour to
the good man of the house, that he has not in a great
house all vessels of one sort and for one service, but we
must look to this, that we are found vessels prepared to
honour.
2 Timothy 2:21
2:21 If a man therefore {h} purge himself from these, he shall
be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the
master's use, [and] prepared unto every good work.
(h) By these words is meant the execution of the matter,
and not the cause: for in that we purge ourselves, it
is not to be attributed to any free will that is in us,
but to God, who freely and wholly works in us, a good
and an effectual will.
2 Timothy 2:22
2:22 {13} Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness,
faith, charity, {14} peace, with them that call on the Lord
out of a pure heart.
(13) Returning to the matter from where he digressed in
2 Timothy 2:16, he warns him to exercise himself in serious
matters, and such as pertain to godliness.
(14) The sixth admonition: we must above all things avoid all
bitterness of mind, both in teaching all men, and also in
calling those back who have gone out of the way.
2 Timothy 2:24
2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle
unto all [men], apt to teach, {i} patient,
(i) To win them through our patient bearing with them, but
not to please them or excuse them in their wickedness.
2 Timothy 2:25
2:25 In meekness instructing those that {k} oppose themselves;
if God peradventure will give them repentance to the
acknowledging of the truth;
(k) He means those who do not yet see the truth.